Come, Thomas come, your Mother called, She saw you in the Street, And of that Beggar, blind and bald She watch’d you trip the Feet. His little Dog, with Jaws agape, An angry Protest raised: But all too late, his Master’s Shape The Pavement’s Edge had grazed. Swift running came Policeman Joe And, threat’ning, spoke of Jail: For those who Others overthrow May deep in Dungeons wail. [Illustration] OFFENSIVE MANNERS How nicely little Cecil sits And eats his Cake in careful Bits, A Warning, John, to you Whose Mouth is filled with Beef and Egg, The Remnants of a Turkey’s Leg, And half a Dumpling too. It really makes me feel quite hurt To see the Way that you insert Your Fingers in the Dish; Such Mouthfuls too have ceased to be Since Prophet Jonah marv’llously Was swallowed by the Fish. Pray from the Joint remove your Fist, And do not stubbornly persist Good Manners to offend. Some Day you’ll choke upon a Slice, Or suffocate from too much Rice And that will be your End. CONTUMACIOUS CONSTANTINE Come, Constantine! this sulky Face I can no more excuse: Entreat for Pardon, beg for Grace, My Patience you abuse. Your Donkey, Ned, you emulate: Because Creation’s Plan Has formed the dumb Beast obstinate It is not so with Man. Your Tongue was giv’n, with contrite Speech, To own when you offend; Your Soul Intelligence to teach And Virtue recommend. Your Conduct you can not defend: It surely was not kind To throw the Pepper o’er your Friend, And risk his going Blind? Despite his burning, tearful Eye, Despite convulsive Sneeze, If ask’d to Pardon he’d comply With your Desire to Please. What! silent still? Then go away: Until Contrition’s shown In Solitude upstairs you stay, For Meals dry Bread alone. All stubborn, naughty Children know That Jam, and Cake, and Pies Are only meant for those who show A Nature Mild and Wise. [Illustration] DISOBEDIENT EMILY When Emily her Task had done It was her Nurse’s Rule To stern forbid her Charge to run Near Miller Jones’s Pool. But Emily did not incline Kind Nursey to obey, She saw the Water Lilies shine That on the Water lay. “La!” she exclaimed, “what Nurse desired She idly spoke in Haste, Those Plants would fitly be admired If on the Table placed.” And so, with bold, presumptuous Mien And disobedient Pride, She hies her to the Meadows green Wherein the Waters glide. To reach the Flowers she plies each Art, And, in the very Deed, A Victim to her wilful Heart, She sinks beneath the Weed.